559: Absorbing the Earth's core

"It's settled!" Di Lingxiao shouted toward the cave entrance, his voice filled with satisfaction.

Di Mingzhi, Di Yu, Di Xuanfeng, Di Yushan, and the others had long been shaken by the world-destroying battle fluctuations within the cave. Hearing the voice now, they finally dared to approach cautiously.

When they saw the remains of the Red-Scaled Earth Dragon Beast split in two and the spiritual pool in the center flowing with crimson gold and overflowing with spiritual light, they all gasped, their eyes filled with shock and awe as they looked at Di Qianjie and the other four.

"Fellow brothers and sisters... your Divine Might is peerless!" Di Yu praised sincerely, his voice trembling with excitement.

Di Mingzhi looked at the bubbling crimson-gold liquid emitting a majestic life essence, his eyes full of longing, yet he still cautioned:

"This place is not suitable for a long stay. The commotion from the battle just now was too great; I fear it has already alerted others."

Sure enough, before his voice had even faded, light and shadows flickered at the cave entrance as several groups of people arrived almost simultaneously.

On the left was a group of Cultivators wearing star-patterned Daoist robes with deep Auras. The leading youth had a refined face, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky; he was Nangong Yan, the Prodigy of the Nangong Clan from Xingluo Prefecture.

On the right was a group of Cultivators dressed in scholar's robes and square headscarves. The leader's Aura was upright and peaceful; he was Kong Zheng, the Personal Disciple of the Dao Seeking Academy's headmaster from Xuanhuang Prefecture.

There was also a group dressed in crimson cloud feather garments. Their leader was a woman with a noble Aura; she was Lin Huang, the Prodigy of the Wutong Lin Clan from Fengqi Prefecture.

When the three parties saw the scene inside the cave—the people from the Godfall Di Clan and Tianxu Di Clan, the massive remains of the Red-Scaled Earth Dragon Beast, and the dazzling crimson-gold ten-thousand-year earth core marrow pool—their pupils shrank, and shock was hard to hide on their faces.

"ten-thousand-year Earth Core Marrow!" Nangong Yan's voice carried a hint of fluctuation.

Kong Zheng's gaze swept over the bloodstains and battle marks on Di Qianjie and the others, and he said solemnly, "Fellow Daoists of the Godfall Di Clan, what impressive methods! To actually be able to slay this beast!"

Lin Huang's beautiful eyes flickered, lingering on Di Qianjie and Di Lingxiao for a moment before she giggled and said, "It seems we have arrived a step late. Fellow Daoists have already obtained the Opportunity. However, since there is so much ten-thousand-year earth core marrow, I wonder if we could share a portion? My Wutong Lin Clan is willing to exchange it for heavy treasures."

The atmosphere inside the cave instantly became subtle and tense.

Three forces, three Profound Venerable Realm Prodigies, watching like tigers over their prey.

Di Lingxiao snorted coldly and slammed his bent dragon fall spear heavily onto the ground, making a dull thud. Though his Battle Intent was weary, it did not diminish:

"Heavy treasures? This item was obtained through the bloody combat of my five brothers! You want it? Ask the spear in my hand first!"

Although he was injured, the fierce Aura of his Undying Battle Body remained daunting.

Di Qianjie held the Thousand Tribulations Sword in his arms, his indifferent gaze sweeping over the three groups. His invisible Sword Intent spread like a cold current, making Nangong Yan and the others feel a chill in their hearts.

Di Wushang's blood-red eyes were icy as his asura god-slaying spear pointed diagonally at the ground, his Killing Intent almost tangible.

Di Jintian and Di Qingge tacitly guarded the spiritual pool.

Di Mingzhi, Di Yu, and the others also grew tense, secretly on guard.

A flash of wariness appeared in Nangong Yan's eyes. He suddenly broke into a smile, cupped his hands, and said:

"Daoist Lingxiao misunderstood. Since this item was obtained through the bloody battle of you Fellow Daoists, my Nangong Clan naturally has no reason to take it by force. However, looking at this spiritual pool, the reserves of Earth Core Marrow are staggering, and it would be difficult for you to fully refine it all at once. I am willing to exchange three portions of Earth Core Marrow for three Star Evolution Spirit-Settling Beads. What do you think?"

Kong Zheng's eyes flickered as he also said, "I am willing to exchange three portions for a remnant chapter of the 'Song of Noble Righteousness'."

Lin Huang's eyes rippled with a smile. "I am willing to offer a bottle of Nirvana Phoenix Blood Essence for five portions. What do you Fellow Daoists think? It is better than starting another conflict here and attracting more covetous eyes."

The five—Di Qianjie and the others—exchanged glances. Although they did not fear battle, the previous fight had consumed a great deal of energy. With strong enemies surrounding them and even greater Opportunities deeper in the ruins, it was not wise to get bogged down here.

"Agreed." Di Qianjie was concise. The ten-thousand-year earth core marrow was as large as a small lake; giving away a tiny bit to obtain the treasures before them and resolve the immediate trouble was a good deal.

Di Qingge stepped forward and took out specially made cold jade bottles. The pure Earth Core Marrow was drawn into the bottles like crimson-gold water dragons.

Her movements were extremely fast as she gave three bottles to Nangong Yan, three to Kong Zheng, and five to Lin Huang. The other parties also readily handed over their exchange items.

Having obtained the Earth Core Marrow, the three forces did not stay. They gave Di Qianjie and the others a deep look before quickly retreating.

"We should hurry too!" Di Wushang reminded.

The group wasted no more time and immediately gathered around the spiritual pool.

"Mingzhi, Di Yu, Di Fei, you all join in too."

Di Lingxiao called out, and Di Yushan, Di Xuanfeng, and the others also approached the pool with faces full of excitement.

Di Qingge took out a large number of jade bottles again: "I will keep a portion for Alchemy; the rest of you can absorb and refine as much as you can!"

Without needing further words, everyone immediately sat cross-legged and activated their Cultivation Techniques.

More than ten people, including Di Qianjie, Di Lingxiao, Di Wushang, Di Jintian, Di Qingge, Di Mingzhi, Di Yu, Di Fei, Di Yushan, Di Xuanfeng, and Di Jingchuan, sat around the spiritual pool as the lights of various Cultivation Techniques lit up.

The crimson-gold Earth Core Marrow transformed into the purest life Origin and merged into Di Qianjie's body, nourishing his Sword Essence. His Sword Qi was restrained within him, yet it was as if countless tiny sword-shaped runes were swimming through his flesh and blood, his Aura steadily rising.

Di Lingxiao was like a whale drinking water as the majestic Earth Core Marrow energy poured in. His Undying Battle Body greedily devoured the life essence, and the spear-shaped patterns on his right arm became increasingly clear.

Di Wushang absorbed the energy containing the heaviness of the earth and the violent fury of lava. His Asura Demon God Body flowed with a dark red luster, and the blood-colored baleful Qi on his body became even more condensed.

Di Mingzhi's Myriad Poison Spiritual Body was washed by the pure life essence, making his poison mist appear more condensed and profound. Di Yu's Ethereal Dao Body seemed to merge with the earth, his Aura becoming ethereal yet heavy. Di Fei, Di Yushan, and the others were like parched land receiving sweet rain; their cultivation Bottlenecks loosened and broke through one after another under the impact of the majestic energy!

The crimson-gold pool water dropped at a visible rate.

Inside the cave, more than ten Auras of varying strengths—but all rising rapidly—intertwined and ascended, like stars about to break out of their cocoons.

A collective transformation brought about by the ten-thousand-year earth core marrow was quietly taking place in this lava cave of the ancient ruins... At the edge of the lake formed by the ten-thousand-year earth core marrow, the Auras of Di Qianjie and the others were like boiling volcanoes. The violent energy fluctuations kicked up bursts of astral wind, causing the surrounding rock walls to rustle.

After half a day, the lake that had been filled with majestic earth essence had dried up to the bottom, leaving only moist rock layers and the thick Spiritual Qi permeating the air.

Di Qianjie was the first to open his eyes. Two condensed sword lights burst from his pupils, tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

His Aura was as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea. The barrier of the Law Realm Tenth Level had long been crushed by the violent flood of energy. A sharp pressure belonging to the Profound Venerable Realm spread out, causing the space to tremble slightly.

"Law Realm Tenth Level... no, it's Profound Venerable First Level!"

He felt the majestic Spiritual Qi coursing endlessly through his body—several times more powerful than before—as well as the clearer Sword Dao Laws. A surge of heroic pride welled up in his heart.

His Space-Time Bloodline circulated slightly, causing his control over the surrounding space to improve abruptly.

Following closely behind, Di Wushang, Di Lingxiao, Di Jintian, Di Qingge, and the others also finished their cultivation.

The asura Killing Intent swirling around Di Wushang became more solid, with blood-red asura demon patterns faintly flowing beneath his skin. His Law Realm Tenth Level Peak Aura was deep and heavy, carrying a heart-palpitating intent of slaughter.

On Di Lingxiao's bare upper body, the black markings of the Undying Battle Body seemed to come alive, emitting majestic vitality and Battle Intent. Every breath he took triggered air vortices; he was now impressively at the Law Realm Tenth Level Peak.

Within Di Jintian's Law Realm Tenth Level Aura was a terrifying power sufficient to shake a Profound Venerable.

The Chaos Pure Flame surrounding Di Qingge became more agile and profound. Her Law Realm Ninth Level cultivation was as stable as a mountain, and her Myriad Fire Sacred Body's control over flames reached a new height.

Di Xuanfeng, Di Yushan, Di Mingzhi, Di Yu, Di Fei, and the others also stood up, unable to hide the wild joy on their faces.

Their cultivations had all increased by several levels.